For the softest, most kissable lips: Labello (fruity shine)

I suffer from ridiculously chapped lips all year round and am always on the search for the ultimate chap stick. I first discovered this stuff while studying abroad in Europe, and sadly, it's nearly impossible to find in the US. It's very, very affordable and provides intense moisture.

 I prefer the brand's fruity shine products, which are made with real fruit extracts and provides just the right hint of color to make your lips look naturally bright and have a subtle sheen. It smells good and actually tastes pretty good too. Seriously, I've actually gotten compliments on the softness/tastiness of my lips from certain boys who've received some kisses with Labello lips. Also, most of Labello's products have some SPF in it.

The last time I was abroad, I bought almost a dozen of these and now keep one in almost every purse and pocket. It is the one product I try to never leave the house without!

Benefit's BADgal Lash Mascara - $19

I have tried many, many mascaras, from the super pricey to the drug store brands, yet I always find myself coming back to BADgal.

I am absolutely obsessed with this mascara. The brush is HUMUNGOUS, and makes your eyelashes look huge. It curls, volumizes, is long lasting and non-clumping. One coat of this and you're good to go. Two+ coats? Va va voom!

The only drawback: after several hours, some of it falls below the eye. Make sure to check a mirror every so often to wipe away any product that smudged.

Tips: You're supposed to throw out your mascara every 2-4 months, regardless of how often you use it. Bacteria builds up in there. Since I never go through a full bottle in 2-4 months, I always buy the sample size of BADgal that Sephora sells for $9 - it's half the size, half the price, but works exactly the same way.

Tip to extend the life of dried out mascara: immerse it in a hot glass of water for a few seconds until the mascara re-liquifies.

Buxom Big & Healthy Lip Polish - $18

This is a great lip gloss for a girl who's not big on lip glosses.

Buxom goes on really smooth, is super shimmery but lacks that awful stickiness/tackiness that other lip glosses have. It contains minerals that create the appearance of fuller lips, and vitamins A and E to keep the lips soft and protected.  It also has a tingling ingredient that reminds me that I'm wearing it, and I'm convinced that my lips really do look more voluminous. It's pretty sexy, and lasts longer than I feel like it should.

 The best part? It lasts forever. I still use the same one from two years ago (although I've lost and found it more times than I care to remember).

I use the color "kanani," and it works for both day and night. The issue is simply remembering to apply it!

Cover FX's Clearprep FX Matte Foundation Primer and Anti-Acne Treatment $39

Clearprep FX is a combo primer and anti-acne treatment, and is AMAZING. It does exactly what a primer should do, and eliminates one step in my regimen (acne treatment).

The two negatives: 1. The price tag. 2. Because of reason #1, I tried to limit my use of this product so that I wouldn't have to buy another one for a long time. So for about 6 months, I used it only once or twice a week, pretty much only when I was going out and wearing lots of makeup. After a few months, the chemicals broke down and it transformed from a gel to a watery, unusable liquid and I had to throw it out.

The positive: SO MANY!
This product will last you  at least 6 months, because you only need a pea size amount for the entire face. It smoothes out the skin and pores without any tightness or drying feeling. The skin absorbs it in seconds, and it keeps my makeup in place all freakin' night. I didn't use it often enough to notice any acne-fighting benefits, but it kept my skin completely matte and shine/oil-free until I washed it off. It's less greasy than other primers, but if you're going for a glowy/dewey look, this isn't the right primer for you.

Bottom line: If you have combination or acne-prone skin, this is a must-have if you plan on putting on a bunch of makeup and going out. It's expensive, but worth it.

Total Steal: Olay Foaming Face Wash for sensitive skin $5

Confession: I use way too many products on my face. As a result, sometimes, my skin freaks out.

The solution: A super mild foamy face wash that can remove all the makeup and bacteria, without over-drying or irritating my skin.

My dermatologist recommended Cetaphil, which always made my skin feel like I used detergent on it - dry and tight. After months of searching, and trying lots super pricey products, I finally found the face wash for me - Olay Foaming Face Wash. It's super foamy, light, and mild. I use it twice a day, and it always leaves my skin feeling clean, nourished, and hydrated. Once a day, I use it with the Olay Pro-X Advanced Cleansing System (the brush head that spins and really gets the cleanser into my skin.)

It has zero oils, soaps, and fragrances. This facewash is great for anyone whose skin could use a break!

Bottom Line: It gets the job done, and for $5 at any drug store, you can't go wrong with this one.

Nerd Alert: I looked up the patent for this, and this is how the patent attorneys/inventors describe the face wash (which the nerd in me finds super interesting): The purpose of the face wash is to "provide an improved cosmetic cleansing composition which is mild and which will produce a foam which is abundant, stable and of high quality, and which effectively cleans skin. . . " They also talk about how foaming cleansers are great because they are mild and not irritating, but that the ones out there either obtain mildness at the expense of effective cleansing, or sacrifice mildness for product stability. They go on to write, "Thus a need exists for foaming cosmetic compositions which will produce a foam which is abundant, stable and of high quality (compactness), which are effective skin and hair cleansers and which are very mild to the skin. . ."